The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-11
MR.. GEORGES LABOR PARTY
1t Has Practically Collapsed, So Far As
aNatiOnal Campaign Is Concerned.
Henry Georre Discusses the Situation aud
Tells What the Attitude of the Party Will
Be in the Contest of Next Year.
Special to the indianapoli. Journ.L

Special to the Indianapolis JournsI
NEW YORK, Dec. 10.-Henry George has deh-
nitely decided not to be candidate for the
presidency next year. and not to put the Labor
party into the campaign. 1t is now more than
a month since the election, ard month";
therefore. since the leaders of the United Labor
party experienced not only an overwhelming
defeat, but very great disappointment. From
their own admissions it is clear that they were
sincere in predicting enormous vote for their
State ticket. They had even confidently looked
for the election of several members to the Legsla
ture. The idea that Henry George should not
poll in the whole State more than few thou
sands beyond his vote in this city alone last year
never occurred to them. They have been now
for five weeks explaining away the figures and
doing their best to save the party from falling
to pieces. There have been good many signsof
rupture in the ranks and it has seemed to poll
ticians that dsintegration had set in for good,
and that the United Labor party no longer
to be considered a serious factor in national
politics. Many people besides the labor men
have been surprised at this result. 1t did look
as it, with their sure vote of at least fifty thou
sand. that they might hold the balance of power
in this State and thus turn the Presidential
election in any way to suit themselves AS a
fact, the politicians of both parties have ceased
to what the labor people do, although the
work of regaining deserters to the old ranks,
still goes on in that quiet way known only to
political managers.
The most serious event in the labor ranks
since the election has been the expulsion of
several of the most active members from the
county general committee account of charges
of fraud 1t is said that of the ward
leaders sold out the State ticket for money at
the last election. With view to seeing just
how the party itself felt the situation, your cor
respondent called this morning upon Henry
George and talked with him concerning the fut-
of the party.
Il admit" said Mr.. George, 'that the figures
were disappointing, but there many reasons
why we should have overestimated our strength.
1t is unnecessary now to go into those reasons.
| inasmuch as we candidly admit that were
| mistaken AS to the future of the party, / am
| positive that it is going to be permanent organ
| ization, and that it will hold nearly all of the
votes cast at the last election and will certainly
| gain more in the future. We are at present
| divided as to our policy on one or two matters
| that entirely minor in their significance
! That is, the great body of men who voted for us
at this last election are undoubtedly firm and
| lasting believers in the platform on which we
stand. That is the most important thing, and
mined to keep up the fight, but there two
| points on which we are, asyet, uncertain. One
in itself rather insignificant, is to the name
| of the organization. Most of Us feel that United
| Labor party is, to degree, misnomer, and
/ we are casting about for something which shall
| be more specific and more inclusive. That ques-
| ton, however. will never cause any division
| whatever in our ranks. The other matter Is a
/ grave one and upon it depends what we shall
| do next year. We have presidential CAM
| paign coming on; if we were to nominate a
fTnto ochn hn ,dny, mad tn
| campaign, ending of course. In overwhelming
! defeat. Now the point is, is it wise to go into
campaign with certainty OF defeat or is 1t not
| better to hold off for year or two and then
| concentrate energies again upon officers To-
cal to this STATED What is your opinion of itl7
| This question will illustrate Mr.. Georges
| character He frequently succeeds in inter
| viewing the interviewer to greater extent than
the reporter interviews him. However, when
| he had been brought again to the point of stat
ing his opinion, he continued:
my argument against going into the national
| canvass is this: such campaign so violently
| arouses the sentiments of the country, and the
! people at large so firmly affiliated with the
| two great parties, that our and our issue
| would be lost sight of in the general turmoil.
| We not yet in position to command enough
| attention to make it pay to gointo presidential
canvass. Moreover, the expense of such can
| vass is simply enormous. 1t has been a terrible
/ drain upon us during this last year TO conduct
| even State campaign. Now, If we go into
national campaign. we must have tickets printed
to be distributed in every voting precinct IN the
| country; must have speeches made; we must
| have local headquarters; in fact, all the appl
| ances of political machine must be brought
into play. The expense of that would be some
| thing uncomfortable, and am afraid we cannot
! think of it, The argument on the other side. of
course is very strong. That is that if we do not
| go into a campaign. the rank and file of
| supporters will lose faith and interest in the
| cause. 1t is probably true that men need to
| feel that they have something to fight for which
| lives from day to day and does not take hiber-
nation to speak. 1t looks, however, as if the
policy of the party would be that which will re-
fIaEa of in he Go6 ayf
year. and wagng persistent campaign Most
| of our friends are in favor of this the
| wisest one. and so, in all probability we shall
| have an independent ticket"
what would be your own idea as to utilizing
| such strength as you have. In case you do not
| run separate ticketP
1T would be my plan to make alliances in a
way that should seem most advisable. For in
stance if one of the parties should take a square
| position upon the tariff question, should find
it iudicious to side with that party which favors
free trade, and thus should lend our weight
| to the accomplishment of one of the elements of
| our cause"
''Do you think that the rank and file of your
/ party is so well grounded in the principles of
free trade that you could swing them upon that
| issue, and depend upon their votes being cast
| for ths candidate and the platform that repre-
j sents itF
! ooh most certainly do said Mr. George,
emphatically. Il think that nearly all the voters
of the United Labor party are free-traders and
that they would see the advisability of support
! ing some other party on that doctrine for one
year and wait for another campaign before at
| tempting to show individual strength. You see
the question is rather haZy at present but still,
| say, the indications that our policy viii
| be in the line of maintaining an independent
/ position. making no alliances, but conducting our
| fight for principles entirely, whether we are
| sure of defeat or not"